Zephyr Project Note & Pics

Hi all. Not had much to post since joining the forum and thought I'd add a few pics. Healing up from a skating injury (broken ankle) so my planned winter work on the car didn't happen. Great to read what many of you 'go fast' guys have done with your rides. My project's sure not as flashy - mainly interested in sprucing up the interior (carpet & headliner), floor pan work, prepping for new paint, and swapping the auto behind the I-6 for a period correct manual SROD (3+OD). Some interesting stuff at FordSix.com and may play with the six a little - perhaps a two-barrel. Most popular manual trans swap for the 200 appears to be a T-5. My SROD bell would only require a little machining if I opted for the five-speed.

I've included a couple of pics of my driver (barring a few spots in the floor it's a pretty clean northern car). There are also shots of a parts boxtop I pulled apart & had hauled away in November. Didn't shed a tear - doors were rotten and the floor, rockers & rear rails were dust. Removed just about every useful part, nut & bolt. Be some time before the driver's done but will let you know of any duplicates or leftovers. It's going to be a fun stock ride so I'm keeping the retro plaid seats. The buckets were toast but a local shop managed to source some NOS material for the recover.

Cheers, Steve

that coupe is in great shape man, take care of it..

Thanks Steve. Been reading about your trip to the track with Karl on FEP. Bet you're glad to be back in game!

WOW Steve,

That is an absolutely gorgeous boxtop you have!!! I haven't been as successful as you in my searches. I've been looking for a 2 dr boxtop and a station wagon for 9 years now. Just found a maroon '81 wagon two weeks ago and purchased it. This is only the second one I've come accross here in the Oklahoma City area. I still haven't found a 2 dr boxtop. Some day I'll find a white one like I'm looking for, I hope! I might not be able to be that picky, since I haven't found one around here yet. I have been searching for the elusive SROD manual trans setup for a 200 also. I'd love to have a white 2 dr boxtop with a 200/SROD setup. That is still a dream of mine. Congrats on such a beautiful car.

Darrell

Appreciate the comments Darrell. With the heavy winter road salt up here F/Z's rusted quickly. I got lucky and found my driver in Ontario. Not mint like a western car but a solid platform to start with.

In the event you come across an SROD donor you'll find the shifter turret in either the forward or rear mounted position. Mine was in a bench seat car and closer to the front. When I first found the trans Mike (Aug - forum member) confirmed he had changed out his SROD shift rail & tube to mount it rearward for bucket seats. Was able to source the pieces and plan to do the same.

Steve

The buckets look awesome! Nice car!

Wow! I did not know there were two different styles of SROD's. Thanks for the heads up on the front and rear mount shifters.

Darrell

Looks great, are you going to keep the car the same color ? I had a '78 coupe with the same seats upolstery...keep us informed !


Stymees'mont

Pic below is before previous owner painted it. Interior base colour was the same as my parts car and I switched the seats, installed plain bumpers, and went back to stock wheels & covers. Not partial to the red and may take it back to original code 81 colour - Russet Metallic.

Steve